Tuesday, 3 January 2017

My Interview with Anna Bishop Barker

When did you
first realize you wanted to become a Writer/author?

I have been
writing down thoughts in journals and such since I was a very young child.I don’t know that there was ever a “decision”
as such, to write.The thought to
actually do something formal has been brewing for several years.

Where do you get your
ideas for your book?

A lot of this first effort
came from things that I am familiar with or from stories that I like to
read.For example, the dogs in the book
reflect my own pets.Most of it just
fell into my head without a lot of rhyme or reason.

Just the one so far.I will say that I love these two people in
the book, and they will always be special, both because they were first and
because I really like them as “people”.

Do you have any
suggestions to help others who have a passion for writing?

I will give the advice
that I was given – WRITE, WRITE, WRITE.And read a variety of authors, decide WHO you want to be, what is your
voice.And don’t do it if you are
looking for fame and fortune.Writing is
art and it has to come from the soul and the heart and the gut.If your motivation is money, you may become
proficient but you will NEVER become GOOD.

What do you think makes a
great story?

For me, it’s always all
about the characters.You can draw me
into nearly any genre, make me believe anything, if the characters are done
well.

I’m not quite ready to
divulge a lot, but it’s a story with a bit more angst than the first.

What genre are your books?

I would say romantic
suspense with a military/black ops angle.

What drew you to the genre you write?

I want to write the types
of stories that I like to read.Those
with some adventure and/or suspense but at their heart, they are love stories.

Which Actor/Actress would you like to see portraying the lead
character from your most recent book?(any book you like)

Karl Urban and Sarah
Rafferty.They are actually my character
muses.

Do you write full-time or part-time?

That’s an interesting and
hard to answer question.I work 50 hours
a week in a “traditional” job, but in my spare time, if I’m not writing, I’m
thinking about writing or jotting down notes or dictating into my phone.So I guess the short answer is,
part-time.The real answer is – who
knows?

What is the hardest thing about writing?

Editing and, then, letting
your baby go when it’s “finished”.

Any tips on how to get through the dreaded Writer’s block?

This will, I’m sure, jinx
me, but I haven’t had one yet.

Do you read much, and if so who are your favorite Authors or
genres?

I read like a fiend.All of it.

Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t
included?

Just that my greatest hope
is that my stories do for others what good stories do for me – take me away,
make me cry, rant, fall in love and make the harshness of reality just a little
bit better.

How can Readers discovery more about you and your
work?(please provide proper links)